Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Subscribe: TuneIn |
After years of boycotting Marvel Cinematic Universe(MCU) reviews, The Cinematic Schematic returns for an in-depth review of Thunderbolts*.
With the X-ception of last summer’s Deadpool & Wolverine, the mega-franchise lost the attention of this podcast somewhere after the Black Panther: Wakanda Forever conversation. This was fueled by two reasons–the quality of the movies became middling, and the hosts demanded the X-Men to no avail.
Now that the X-dessert is officially ending, Thunderbolts* is back on the menu!
The 36th movie in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and the 14th since 2019’s Avengers: Endgame, brings several characters subplots from previous TV shows and movies together for the final film of Phase V. The film stars Florence Pugh as Yelena Belova(previously introduced in Black Widow), Sebastian Stan as Bucky Barnes(MCU staple), Wyatt Russell as John Walker(previously introduced in Falcon and the Winter Solider), David Harbour as Alexei Shostakov / Red Guardian(introduced in Black Window), Hannah John-Kamen as Ava Starr / Ghost(Introduced in Antman and the Wasp), Lewis Pullman as Bob Reynolds, and Julia Louis-Dreyfus as Valentina Allegra de Fontaine(introduced in Black Widow, spotted in several cameos).
Does this ragtag band of knock-off Avengers stand a chance against increasingly jaded comic book movie audiences?
Check out the conversation, including a cameo from an unexpected guest, for our verdicts today.
The Unlikely C-listers Unite
It’s the first MCU review in years* and it brought together the unlikeliest band of Oklahoma’s unsung film critics. Hosts Caleb Masters and Laron Chapman are joined by Oklahoma Film Society co-founder Alex Palmer and Movies Are Life‘s Nathan Chandler.
Left to Right: Nathan Chandler, Laron Chapman, Alex Palmer, and Caleb Masters
Breaking News: Tariffs on the Film Industry?
Time Stamp: 5:10
Trump orders 100% tariff on foreign-made movies to save “dying” Hollywood (Reuters)
- On Sunday, U.S. President Donald Trump announced a 100% tariff on movies produced outside the country, saying the American movie industry was dying a “very fast death” due to the incentives that other countries were offering to lure filmmakers.
- “This is a concerted effort by other Nations and, therefore, a National Security threat. It is, in addition to everything else, messaging and propaganda,” Trump said on Truth Social.
Today’s group of hosts weigh in on the subject with questions about the future of the film industry.
Ice-Breaker Question
Time Stamp: 22:27
What is your most anticipated movie of summer 2025?
Spoiler-Free Thunderbolts* Review*
Time Stamp: 31:40
In our spoiler-free review of Thunderbolts*, we crack open the movie to talk about:
- Our overall thoughts on the film
- What Thunderbolts* may bring to the MCU that we’ve never seen before
- How the film pays off previously established storylines from other films/TV series
- Where the film ranks among other post-Avengers: Endgame movies
- Our letter-grade verdicts
- Alternate media recommendations
Spoiler-Filled Discussion
Time Stamp: 1:21:18
After the review, the real fun begins. In this spoiler-filled conversation, we cover the following topics:
- Topic 1 – The bad guy was depression and loneliness all along
- Topic 2 – The truth behind the *
- Topic 3 – Does Thunderbolts* reinvigorate the MCU?
Special Guests
Alex Palmer
Co-Founder of the Oklahoma Film Society, Film Producer
Follow the Oklahoma Film Society on Facebook and Instagram
Nathan Chandler
Host/Producer of Movies Are Life
Follow Movies Are Life on Facebook
About Thunderbolts*
According to IMDB, Thunderbolts* is described as:
After finding themselves ensnared in a death trap, an unconventional team of antiheroes must embark on a dangerous mission that will force them to confront the darkest corners of their pasts.
Follow The Cinematic Schematic Podcast
Hear all of this and more of our past and future episodes by subscribing to The Cinematic Schematic on your preferred podcast app and leaving us a rating on Apple Podcasts!
Follow The Cinematic Schematic on Spotify
Like The Cinematropolis on Facebook
Follow The Cinematropolis on Twitter @thecinematrop
